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GP training through Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program offers junior doctors educational, training and pastoral support as they train to become General Practitioners. In 2019, a specific AGPT Rural Generalist Policy relating to rural generalist trainees was introduced, which allows for additional program flexibility regarding training time, transfers and skills training. Rural generalist trainees who are on the AGPT pathway have a higher chance of passing the fellowship exams.
Discover more about how Rural Generalists benefit from GP training through AGPT
On average, rural generalist GP registrars take 4.6 years to complete the requirements of the AGPT program (including the college exams).
The key components of the program are:
Note: both ACRRM and RACGP have a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process that allows registrars to apply for recognition of time done prior to entering the training program.
Junior doctors who are Queensland Rural Generalist Pathway (QRGP) trainees apply to the AGPT program the same way as other applicants, however if they want access to the AGPT Rural Generalist Policy they must opt-in by ticking the 'rural generalist’ box on their applications.
Junior doctors interested in being rural generalists but who are not part of the Queensland Rural Generalist Pathway can still apply to train as a rural generalist on the AGPT program. Again, they must opt-in by ticking the ‘rural generalist’ box on the application.
Junior doctors wanting to train as AGPT rural generalists can train via the ACRRM or RACGP/FARGP pathways, or both.
Registrars typically secure their own hospital placements through Queensland Health. James Cook University's (JCU) GP training program and the QRGP team assist registrars in identifying suitable AST/ARST posts. A vacancy list is advertised by JCU and QRGP in the first half of each year.
The Rural Doctors Association Queensland’s Annual Conference also offers an excellent opportunity for Rural Generalist registrars to network and learn about suitable training opportunities that exist in rural and remote areas.
JCU helps registrars identify suitable posts for the community component of their training. There are a variety of posts available with different approaches to employment. For example, some training locations offer two contracts which run simultaneously with the registrars working in private general practice as well as in the local hospital. Other locations offer registrars provisional SMO or Medical Officer with a right to Private Practice (MOPP/MORPP) positions.
For more information, please review the following resources:
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